Women's Cross Country

Pete Dolan Named NCAA West Region Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year

Nov 16, 2006

Nov. 16, 2006

Announced earlier this afternoon by the US Cross Country and Track & Field Coaches Association, Director of Cross Country and Track & Field, Pete Dolan, won his first Women's West Region Cross Country Coach of the Year honor. The Gauchos were one of the biggest surprises of the 2006 season, jetting to seventh in the national rankings winning handily the Big West title for the third time in four years and earning an automatic bid to the National Championships with their runner-up performance to Stanford University at the West Regional Championships.

Dolan is leading the Women to their third NCAA Championships appearance in four years earning automatic qualification for the first time in team history. The Gaucho Women placed four runners in the top fifteen at NCAA West Region, all earning All-Region honors. The Gauchos were led by Senior Lauren Christman who finished fifth, the highest individual regional placing in UCSB history, and was also named Big West Runner of the Year after winning her second Big West Cross Country Title.

Earlier in the year the Gauchos also won the prestigious Roy Griak Invitational, the first such honor in UCSB history. Individually, Stephanie Rothstein and La. Christman finished 1-2 giving them a convincing win over national rivals. Five out of the last seven individual winners from the Roy Griak Invitational have gone on to win the individual crown at the NCAA National Championships.

Things did not stop there for coach Dolan however, the UCSB men also faired well with two athletes garnering All-Region honors and also qualifying for the NCAA Championships. Out front for the Gauchos was JD Krawczyk finishing seventh as an individual at the NCAA West Regional; a performance equaling that of 2001 All-American Josh Horton. This marks the first time in team history that both squads have qualified for the National Championships in the same year.